Bending Paulownia?

nic_g · Ollie Joined: 26 Jan 2010 Posts: 65

Hey guys looking to make a wakeskate out of a Paulownia Plank, my brother has made a few surfboards out of them and they turned out real nice.

The one problem i have is bending the planks, i think the planks will be about 20-25mm so not sure if its possible to bend, the only idea i have thought of is steaming but not sure.

I know there are a few wakeboards coming out made with Paulownia

Any Help will be appreciated!

11RANDOMNESS · Posted: Aug 25, 2013 2:12 pm Post subject:

I know the stuff is pretty flexible, but I doubt you would be able to bend enough rocker into a a piece as short as a wakeskate. Not to mention it would just bend right back if your just going to seal it with linseed oil. Did your brother build an alia? Because those have no rocker just a little flip in the nose.

nic_g · Ollie Joined: 26 Jan 2010 Posts: 65

11RANDOMNESS, yes my brother made an alaia surfboard, i know they dont have any rocker in them but i thought i may be able to bend it but, i think i might just make them out of maple or birch, what would be best?

11RANDOMNESS · Posted: Aug 26, 2013 11:10 am Post subject:

nic_g, I can't say as I have never built a wakeskate. But paulonia is super expensive anyway. Hows the alaia work? Been wanting to try one for a while.

nic_g · Ollie Joined: 26 Jan 2010 Posts: 65

11RANDOMNESS, Yes i know for a good sized plank its about $150, I was just looking at it for something new as i haven't seen any wakeskates made out of Paulownia i have only seen some wakeboards. Im actually looking at starting a company later this year, selling boards i make out of my garage. So far im thinking the name would be DriftWood Wakeskates

The alaia's are sick, i havent ridden the surfboard, but my brother ended up turning one of the boards into a body board which i took to bali with me, it was sick to ride, really fast, and the locals loved it, they hadn't seen one like it before. So my brother gave one of the local guys on the beach we have known for a while one of his boards to keep

brendon88 · Faceplant Joined: 02 Jul 2013 Posts: 7

Hi Bro just a little fact about naming your wakeskate with "Driftwood", that name is already up in the market - The brand is based in Thailand. Check their Facebook page -- https://www.facebook.com/driftwoodwakeskates
Or you can as well check the Thai Wake Park website and go to their Gear Shop.

Just a concerned friend here, and just for you to avoid any conflicts. I support wakeskater owned board companies so I'm here to help.

By the if you have your proto already give me a message Smile

nic_g · Ollie Joined: 26 Jan 2010 Posts: 65

brendon88, Ok thats no good, as i said it was just a thought, thanks for informing me!

I have a logo made up which is DW so i could change the name to something Wood or D.... Wakeskates